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Packer: Wilhoit recovered from first kick at Neyland Stadium

By Mark Packer (Contact)
Originally published 06:55 p.m., February 9, 2008
Updated 06:56 p.m., February 9, 2008

James Wilhoit wanted to play for Tennessee since he was a young boy growing up in middle Tennessee. His family had made it a part of their lives to watch every UT football game on TV.

As a youth, Wilhoit didn't get to many games in person because he was busy with soccer. But, as he grew older, the family made more and more trips to Knoxville.

"I always wanted to be a Vol," Wilhoit said. "My parents actually met over UT-Alabama tickets. My dad was trying to get tickets to the game for him and a girlfriend. He ended up talking to my mom about tickets because she had some for sale. They met up and he said that she was the girl he was going to marry."

After signing with UT out of Hendersonville High School, Wilhoit was thrust right into the lineup as a freshman. The kick he'll never forget was his very first kick in the 2003 opener against Fresno State.

"I had been working with sports psychologist, Dr. Craig Wrisberg, leading up to the first game,'' Wilhoit said. "One of the things he worked with me on was how to handle it when the crowd booed me.

"Well, wouldn't you know it, the crowd was booing the first time I ran out for a kick. They weren't booing me, they were booing because Coach (Phillip) Fulmer had elected to kick the field goal on fourth-and-1 instead of going for it. So, as I ran on to the field, the crowd wasn't real happy. Unfortunately, it took Coach Fulmer so long to make the decision to kick the field goal, that we only had 12 seconds on the play clock when we ran out. I made the kick, but we got flagged for delay of game and I had to re-kick. After the 5-yard penalty, I missed the next kick.

"I guess I recovered all right because I ended up making some freshman All-American teams. But, I'll never forget that first time I ran on to the field at Neyland Stadium."

Entering his sophomore season, Wilhoit was considered one of the strengths of the team. Late in the fourth quarter against Florida, the Vols had just scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-27 when Wilhoit trotted on to the field for the extra point.

"That was a bad kick," Wilhoit said. "I just missed it. I don't think I realized the magnitude of the miss until I got to the sideline and looked at the scoreboard. Nobody really said anything to me except offensive coordinator Randy Sanders. He came over to me and asked how far the offense needed to take the ball for me to hit a field goal.

"I was so pumped up that I told him to just get the ball past midfield. Well, they got the ball to the Florida 33 with just a few seconds left. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to make the kick because I had no choice but to make it. There was no other option. My holder, John Henderson, kept everyone away from me because he wanted me to be able to do my thing.

"Florida quarterback Chris Leak told me that it sounded like a gun went off when I hit the ball. That's the best I ever hit a ball. There wasn't a doubt when it left my foot that it was good."

The Vols won 30-28 and Wilhoit had his game-winning moment that will be replayed for years to come. What won't make the highlight reel was the missed extra point that set up the winning kick. And, had he made the extra point, Florida would have played for the win, instead of trying to run out the clock.

Wilhoit's goal is to make it on an NFL roster. He thought he had a chance to be the kickoff specialist for the Baltimore Ravens in 2007, but things didn't work out. Now he's hoping the new All American Football League will be his shot at the NFL.

"I can't wait to play in this new league," Wilhoit said. "We start practice March 12 and the season begins April 12. I'd like to encourage fans to get their tickets at the league's Web site, AAFL.com."

Wilhoit realizes that if he hits a game-winning field goal in the new league, it won't be in front of 107,000 fans and a national TV audience. But, it might give him that little push he needs to get to the NFL."

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room, presented by Parkwest Medical Center, on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       13 Comments

Posted by tngeoff on February 9, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THAT was a game! My wife and I went nuts! As did everybody else...except the gators. One of the unforgetable truly great Tennessee games.

Posted by IPOrange on February 9, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember the day after that game there was an article in the paper about it. Wilhoite said later that evening there were like a hundred voice mails on his cell phone. One was from a guy that blasted him pretty good for missing that extra point (apparently he left the message before the game was over). A later message from the same guy, recorded after the game was over, said something like, "Please disregard my earlier message." Priceless.

Posted by rabidvol1998 on February 9, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember trying to meet up with my wife after the game and cell phones wouldn't work because all the circuits were busy. I think all 100,000 people called somebody after that kick.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on February 9, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Four FL fans sat right behind me and a couple of buddies trading barbs all night during that back and fourth game. When Wilhoit missed that extra point they blasted into us. When he made the 50 yarder to win I turned to rub it in a little more only to see the one directly behind my start to cry.

There used to be a video of that kick on youtube someone filmed with a cell phone. Its grainy as heck and you can't see the ball. Regardless it still gives me goose bumps when the crowd erupts.

Posted by coach75 on February 9, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree that was a great game. i still remember when the field goal went through that the beautiful brunette who was to my left jumped up and started to hug me(she was not my wife-seated to the right). her husband was on her other side and he was high fiving me while i was hugging his wife and tennessee just beat the gators. what a great moment. needless to say my wife did not like it very much, but it was fun for me. forgot to mention she was a very endowed young lady. oh the memories.

Posted by tngeoff on February 10, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way...I might get irritated with Fulmer, but there have been some VERY memorable games under him. One thing I have never said and never will say, as some try to deride the National Championship and say "luck" and all the other stuff. Not Me. It was what it was and we deserved to be there to play for it. It was a huge, defining moment in Tennessee football history. So was this Florida game. I am anxious to see more big wins and believe that we will this coming season. Bring it on. There is nothing more glorious in football than to watch Georgia and Florida teams, coaches and fans eat their trash when we beat them. I have a VERY good feeling about the BIG Florida game in Neyland this year.

Posted by tngeoff on February 10, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff.

One of the ways I beat the doldrums is to remember great Tennessee wins and think about returning to a time when EVERY team feared us. It may be returning. I am very potimistic and really believe that the new coaches along with a strong returning team offer Fulmer a great chance to win big. Tell the Beagles to get ready to howl and when you're out walkin' around, remember some glorious moments about Tennessee football and visualize a sullen, gloomy Florida group in Neyland Stadium next year. The above column sets the tone and brings back fantastic and vivid memories of just such a moment.

This Beagle (Law and Order Beagle) demands a UT win.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=X9Y2EIYfF1Y

Posted by slovog on February 10, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"There is nothing more glorious in football than to watch Georgia and Florida teams, coaches and fans eat their trash when we beat them."

That is a great quote!

Posted by tngeoff on February 10, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's what a couple of Tennessee faithful think about the Florida game:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eWnByXye7bI

Posted by givehim6 on February 10, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope james does get to play for team Tn. in the AAFL, would love seeing him in orange agin. Thanks for the great memoirs.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on February 11, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did I overlook some place in the article that told what AAFL team he would be on?

Posted by Diggs on February 15, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck, James.

Diggs

P.S. There is no Woooooo in Rocky Top!!

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